Re: Schoolio's Movie Corner

Akron finally got an independent film theater! Living here is just a degree less hellish now! So yeah, I got to see Under The Skin on the big screen and I'm glad I did. It's been 2 or 3 years since I've seen a movie in the theater. There were parts of that film that were disturbing on a such a visceral level to compare to Eraserhead and The Shining. It's going to take a lot of time to unpack everything going on there, but the experience of watching it was stunning and unique. Some absolutely incredible pairings of image and sound throughout the movie. Even if you hate it or don't get it, you probably won't ever forget it.

Re: Schoolio's Movie Corner

Originally Posted by TallGuyCM

The Lego Movie seems to have been almost universally praised, but what I haven't seen mentioned is how insanely trippy of a movie it is. I'm not a drug person, but I enjoy watching movies with a few strong drinks from time to time and this worked wonderfully in that regard.

Most kids movies, especially animated ones, come off a bit druggy when enhanced by adult party favors. It's the only way I can manage as many as I watch.

Originally Posted by Phantasma Del Mar

Yeah, I wasn't a fan of the ending to Lego Movie either. I understand what they were going for, but it really took me out of the movie. The whole "it was all in the character's head" scenario rarely gets pulled off without feeling cheap.

The ending was expected, so it wasn't that annoying to me, but the "it was all in the character's head" doesn't work in this storyline. The Lego world is not just in the kids imagination.

Re: Schoolio's Movie Corner

Finally watched Rachel Getting Married with a few friends tonight. Everyone was cooing madly about what a masterfully directed film it was. I, uhh, I can't say I share that sentiment. I'm kind of shocked that it was such a well received film. I found it insufferably dull and ponderous. And about an hour too long. God, the United Colors of Benetton/UN interracial wedding with bridesmaids in saris and Ganesh on the cake (and a terrible actor as the groom) and seemingly every world music musician in the greater Connecticut area playing on and on and on. What a turgid Robert Altman impression. Demme hasn't made a decent film since Silence of the Lambs.

Re: Schoolio's Movie Corner

Originally Posted by RageAgainstTheAoki

Finally watched Rachel Getting Married with a few friends tonight. Everyone was cooing madly about what a masterfully directed film it was. I, uhh, I can't say I share that sentiment. I'm kind of shocked that it was such a well received film. I found it insufferably dull and ponderous. And about an hour too long. God, the United Colors of Benetton/UN interracial wedding with bridesmaids in saris and Ganesh on the cake (and a terrible actor as the groom) and seemingly every world music musician in the greater Connecticut area playing on and on and on. What a turgid Robert Altman impression.

Anne Hathaway was great in that.

Speaking of movies that are 'insufferably dull and ponderous', I watched Only God Forgives last night.

We're here to play some Mississippi Delta Blues. We're in a horrible depression, and I gotta admit - we're starting to like it.

Re: Schoolio's Movie Corner

Originally Posted by SoulDischarge

AI got to see Under The Skin on the big screen and I'm glad I did. It's been 2 or 3 years since I've seen a movie in the theater. There were parts of that film that were disturbing on a such a visceral level to compare to Eraserhead and The Shining. It's going to take a lot of time to unpack everything going on there, but the experience of watching it was stunning and unique. Some absolutely incredible pairings of image and sound throughout the movie. Even if you hate it or don't get it, you probably won't ever forget it.

I watched it last night and today I'm having trouble thinking about anything else. Sexy Beast was great but this film is on another level. I feel like that opening scene was something Kubrick would have been proud to call his own and it just never let up. And Scarlett Johansson, wow. Just wow. Between her disembodied work in Her and the physicality of this performance I'm starting to think she's capable of anything. Except maybe a British accent, but even that made sense in the context of the story.

Anyone care to fill me in on Birth? How does that compare to Glazer's other two movies?

Re: Schoolio's Movie Corner

I LOVED Birth. It's actually my favorite of Glazer's films. It's a wonderfully moody, atmospheric and stylish film. It's part horror, part supernatural thriller, part psychological melodrama. At the center of the film is a pretty remarkable performance by Nicole Kidman - maybe her best. You've probably read about this scene at the Met Opera which consists of a 2-minute close up on Kidman's face as she sits in the audience of a Wagner opera and quietly wrestles with a torrent of emotions. In the wrong actress' hands it could have been a ridiculous, indulgent moment, but with Kidman in the seat, Glazer created a stunning coupe de theatre. On paper, the film's premise is decidedly silly, but with Glazer's direction and Kidman's central performance it's absolutely spellbinding. The film also offers wonderful supporting performances from Lauren Bacall and, yes, Anne Heche.

Re: Schoolio's Movie Corner

I searched this thread and only the first "The Raid" has been mentioned. I saw "The Raid 2" last week and HOLY SHIT this was amazing. The choreography was so on point, all the fighting scenes were realistic and artfully done. I didn't watch the first of these two films, I will definitely be watching it this week.

Re: Schoolio's Movie Corner

Originally Posted by DFrank

I searched this thread and only the first "The Raid" has been mentioned. I saw "The Raid 2" last week and HOLY SHIT this was amazing. The choreography was so on point, all the fighting scenes were realistic and artfully done. I didn't watch the first of these two films, I will definitely be watching it this week.

I've only seen the first, and it's awesome. Planning to watch the second shortly.